DHS Partners with Sports Leagues Subsector

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Infrastructure is sponsoring The Sports League Conference. The sports leagues subsector and DHS partnership is a great example of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan framework at work.

This event kicked off yesterday, April 28, 2010, and is continuing on today. Approximately 200 security representatives from various pro-sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NASCAR, are gathering with private sport event security companies and the country’s homeland security and law enforcement agencies.

The conference is an opportunity for sharing information, establishing protocols, and conducting a table-top exercise (TTX) in Northern Virginia. The focus of this conference is the safety and security of commercial facilities, such as stadiums and arenas whenever there is a large gathering of Americans.

With the hundreds of millions of spectators that gather at major sporting events across the country annually, DHS knows that the safety and security of these facilities is critical. There is always the potential that there could be disruption to the venue or attempted harm, such as terrorist attacks.

The event is closed to the public and press.

Similar to this event, Secretary Napolitano met with real estate leaders, professional sports executives, media and financial industries this past December to discuss the importance of maintaining the country’s infrastructure.